Scripture respecting the duties the dignities the priviledges and happiness both of living in the Natural life and the Saints raised from the death of the body wherein they will both be happily exercised and peacefully and securely enjoy the benefits the said thousand years of Christs reign upon Earth from his coming in the Clouds of heaven for above a thousand years space until his sitting on that great white Throne when the Heaven and the Earth shall flee away before his face and no place be found for them Rev. 20.11 and when these visible Heavens we behold shall be no more as is said Job 14.12 And so we proceed to make up the evidence of this first way of Demonstration a little to touch upon the third sort of those things that are declared by the holy Scriptures to be done at the end of the said thousand years which are so evidently set down in the latter part of the Revelation wherein as Mr. Mede observes the Holy Ghost hath set down things more clearly than before and herein observe what he declareth 1. First concerning Satans loosing again who after he had told us of his binding and shutting up at the begining of the thousand years and for what reason that he might deceive the Nations no more till the thousand years were fulfilled but then he adds after that he must be loosed for a little space v. 2 3. and when he had set forth summarily the happiness of the raised Saints raign with Christ with other divine truths of the different estate of the rest of the dead which were not to be raised till the thousand years were ended v. 4 5 6. he proceeds to shew in order how accordingly it shall fall out v. 7. as before he had fore-told that Satan should be loosed then out of his prison For what is here delivered concerning Satan and the state of the Saints raised and then of the rest not raised that are said not to live again till c. is all set out with the greatest distinct clearness in each respect that can in so short a form or frame of words probably be expressed or conceived and as most agreeing with the current of the Sacred Scripture concerning those things which Christ was so graciously pleased so to make known for the benefit of his Church in the time of the end and therefore delivers them so clearly and distinctly and so leaves them with all the rest of this book unsealed Rev. 22.10 For from the time of the giving this Revelation and Christs receiving his Commission from the Father to open the Seals and read and execute the particulars in their order chap. 5. he hath been still is and will also henceforth be in doing till they all be accomplished accordingly and therefore he saith in respect of the order of accomplishment the time is at hand chap. 1.3 2. And Secondly after the holy Spirit had so punctually set down the time of Satans loosing out of his Prison he proceeds in the next place to shew what ill use he would make of his loosing though permitted to him but for a little season at the end of the thousand years and though he be fore-told from the word of Christ that his last desperate devilish attempt will be but a vain attempt against the Camp of the Saints and the holy City and not only bring on effectually the ruine to that world wherein he would still rule but destruction also to himself with them in the said bottomless pit where the Beast and the false Prophet that he had in former times long seduced were cast above a thousand years before yet so desperately wicked notwithstanding Satan will then be and it appears to be the heavy judgement of God upon him that he will then so do viz. go out to deceive the Nations even in such a case c. as v. 8. 3. The large extent of that most horrible wicked attempt of his and where they will be found that shall thereto be seduced then by him to such a purpose namely in the four quarters of the Earth even such as were removed or far withdrawn from the Camp of the Saints by such time as the thousand years should end v. 8. 4. By the quality of such Nations which he will deceive and seduce then into that so vain and horrible an attempt who are described by the titles of Gog and Magog even as those great and implacable Enemies to the Church were described to wit the Turk and Pope Ez. 38 39 which by his long seducement were by him brought to their ruine before the thousand years when he knew he was to be shut up so long in his prison and when the Jews were to be delivered and placed in their own Land Ezek. 37. and united with the ten Tribes their Brethren into one Kingdom under Christ and the new Jerusalem set up and described by Ezekiel from chap. 40. to the end of that Book there named Jehovah Shamma the Lord is there this title or description of such wretched persons the holy Spirit is here again pleased to use to set them forth by that they will be another Gog and Magog maliciously attempting the subversion of Christs Church though so incomparably glorious in the world c. v. 8. 5. The course he takes with them he gathers them together to battell for it is the most natural design of the Devil and his most wicked agents in all times to war against the Saints and it was quarrel enough against them both for him and them that the mannaging well the power of good government is by God put into their hands for restraining evil and promoting good as doubtless in that time it will be when that attempt shall be made for the overthrow whereof that design should probably serve if it might be to get such power into their own hands that Satan by and in them might reign 6. The seeming advantage they will think probably they shall have to undertake that hellish design which Satan will provoke and tempt them to make use of therein namely their very great multitudes and hosts of evil cumbitants which are foretold shall be as the sand of the sea v. 8. 7. Their general unanimous and ready yieldance to such Satans tentation and seducement they went upon the breadth of the earth v. 9. wickedly yet confidently relying on their own multitudes even against the long and glorious manifestations of the power and kingdome of Christ in the world then after and in the destruction of the Beast above 1000 years before 8. The high degree of their seeming prevalency in such atchievement they compassed the camp of the Saints about and the beloved City v. 9. they even seemed then to obtain their end c. But then 9. Observe Gods appearing in the nick of time against them causing their horrible disappointment and bringing upon them their remediless and desperate destruction fire then came down from God out of heaven and
before him were stiled in the same verse the King of the South and fitly agree with the Seasons of the 5t and 6t Trumpet Rev. 9. of which more afterwards Again another part of the said battle is described in reference to the Pope for as in the Old Testament the Turk is foretold to be then the Jews great Enemy to withstand their return to Christ and their own Land so the Pope in the New Testament is set forth to be then the great Enemy of the Gentile Christians both which God will then bring down as many Scriptures declare Who also shall then be gathered with his complices to the Armageddon Battle as upon his account it is called Rev. 16.14 16. under the end of the sixth Vial or the beginning of the seventh called also the Battell of the Great day of God Almighty and it is more largely set forth how it will be accomplished Rev. 19.11 When the King of Kings with his Armies will come against the Beast and false Prophet and their Armies and take them both for ever destroy them c. And much is also set forth Dan. 7.9.10 c. concerning the time and manner or the Popes destruction because of whose great words the Judgement will then sit one the Throne and by a Fiery Sentence and Execution the Beast will then be consumed and the Body thereof given to the burning Flame and much to like purpose in that chapter and a complication of Judgements are in many parts of holy Scripture assigned for the ruine then of both those great Enemies besides what hath been named I only here point out but few of many in v. 22. of Ezek 38. God saith he will plead then with Gog the Turk with Pestilence with Bloud an over-flowing Rain great Haile-stones Fire and Brimstone Consider seriously the description of his ruine largely set down in 〈…〉 following chapter and the like of the Pope Rev. 16. 〈…〉 21. there are the horrours of Gods indignation in that 〈…〉 quake with Thunders and Lightning when Babylon shall come 〈…〉 before God to give unto her the Cup of the Wine of the fierce 〈◊〉 of his wrath as followed in the falling of the great Haile whereupon 〈◊〉 blsphemed God as follows whereby the fierceness of his wrath 〈◊〉 be most manifest as hath been seen in the Devil since Christ came in the Flesh who finding himself without remedy since blasphemed God which till then it was thought he durst not so for in the latter part of Rev. 19. the Fowls devour their flesh and they are cast alive into the lake of fire burning with Brimstone so Rev. 14.19 those Grapes are reaped and cast into the Wine press of Gods wrath c. In the next place unto the destruction of the said great Enemies the Scriptures adjoyn the appearance and Kingdom of Christ as the Apostle Paul joynes them 2 Tim. 4.1 and he knew he had good ground for it from Daniels Prophesie chap. 7. when the Beast is destroyed he had the Vision v. 13 14. c. now the Son of Man Jesus Christ came in the Clouds of Heaven to whom all the Kingdoms and the People are given as follows all Nations under the whole Heaven are then subject to him v. 27. read those things deliberately c. So when he had destroyed the Beast and his Complices in the end of Rev. 19. then that great Angel Christ with a great Chain binds the Devil and Satan for a 1000. years and sets up his Kingdom and Reigns with his Saints then to be raised and all such as walk in the light of the new Jerusalem all the 1000. years that very clear Prophesy hath been too well vindicated from Satanicall mists and Popish delusions to be again darkened by them or such as they seduce against holy Scriptures most evident light the same Apostle joynes them also 2 Thes 2.8 shewing the glorious appearance of Christ will be the utter destruction of Anti-christ which is another fore-runner of his glorious Kingdom c. Come to a fift the great and national restauration deliverance and conversion of the Jews and Israelites for to the former the Scriptures also joyn these their temporal and spiritual deliverance the temporal before in Joel 3. Both temporal and spiritual in Dan 12.1 2 3. And so in many expressions both are annexed to Gogs destruction when he shall come with an evil thought against them Ezck. 38. and 39. Their happiness in both was deciphered chap. 37. by raising the great army from the dry bones and joyning the two sticks both which are largely and excellently set forth and explained in the whole Chapter of which more 〈…〉 And when in the two next Chapters the hinderers 〈…〉 comes the New Jerusalem called Jehovah shamma 〈…〉 end of that Book all which fully agree with the 〈…〉 â—â—velation which is the sure Key of all mystical Scripture 〈◊〉 â—â—â—pecting the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the latter times their conversion Zachâ—â—â— speaks of evidently chap. 12.10 when that Nation will be 〈…〉 born in a day Isa 66.8 and the iniquity of that Land be taken away in one day Zac. 3.9 then will that Bride make her self ready when all those Halelujahs shall be sung at the destruction of the Whore when the said Kingdome of Christ shall begin and the readiness of the Bride shall appear unto whom the abundance of the Gentiles shall joyn themselves as Rev. 19.1 to the 9th verse and Esa 60.3 4 5 c. Then also will Christs visible Kingdome of power be set up on earth First by removing out of it all things that offend viz. the Pope and Turk with their adherents with hypocrites and those that do iniquities all to be removed aforehand Mat. 13.41 42. which by the said judgement Dan. 7. are to be swept away with a temporal sudden destruction set up for to judge then such wicked quick 2 Tim. 4.1 and Rev. 11.19 and then by gathering both Jews and Gentiles into his fold when the Jews shall be honourably sent into their Land by the Gentiles and the Gentiles unconverted before shall in great abundance be brought in to Christ by means of the Jews upon the manifestation that God is with them Esa 60.2 3 c. But then thirdly That Kingdome of Christ will consist of another sort of Subjects such as Christ will bring with him when he comes and which before were said by the Apostle to sleep before in Christ in respect of their bodies 1 Thes 4.14 which shall then be raised from their graves and then be re-united unto their spirits at the first blessed and holy resurrection as it is called Rev. 20.6 who shall then live and reign with Christ 1000 years vers 4. and in the end of vers 6. which is his judging also of the dead at that time Rev. 11.19 by rewarding his servants the Prophets and his Saints and all that fear his name both small and great both then living and before dead when as for
devoured them v. 9. which was the temporal execution of Gods judgement on Satans last hosts 10. Whereupon follows the eternal execution of Gods wrath upon Satan himself for he is then cast into the lake of fire and brimstone to be tormented perpetually with the Beast and false Prophet sent thither above 1000 years before by means of his seducement v. 10. 11. Hereupon ensues the general Judgement first manifested in the sudden dissolution of the whole frame and fabrick of nature in that heaven and earth flee away from the face of him that the great white Throne was set for to sit upon who had upheld all things till then by the word of his power Heb. 1.3 who it seems then will â—â—solve them into the first Chaos of confusion upon the ranture and chinge of the Saints but from thence no place will be found for them v. 11. but as Job saith these material heavens shall be no more But then 12. and lastly The general Judgement proceeds of all men good and bad both in respect of declaration or sentence and execution accordingly as in many particulars is set down to the end of the Chapter And whereas Hell and Death are in the issue said to be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone first by hell there may be understood the grave as sheol in the old Testament Ps 16. and Gen. 42.38 so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the new 1 Cor. 15.55 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 O grave where is thy victory in which Chapter what the Apostle Paul had taught of destroying the last enemy death is here metaphorical described to be fulfilled to wit in its capacity the subject matter of death and hell in that sence being now for ever taken away thenceforth no more use of either to be at all whereby Christ is made the death of death and death the last enemy to be destroyed will then as he speaks be swallowed up in victory Now as the Jews looking only at Christs second glorious coming foretold in the old Testament did usually-overlook such things as set forth the humility of his first coming for both his first and second coming as Mr. Mede observes are promiscuously set down in the old Testament except in Daniel so Christians under the new Testament have been apt to overlook the first resurrection called in Scripture the resurrection of the just under a confused notion taken up of the last general resurrection which once for all for the mysteries thereof were revealed by degrees our Saviour hath by his beloved Disciple John so fully at last declared by an orderly explication of both in this 20th Chap. of the Rev. for a sure Key to open otherwise much mystical Scripture concerning the last times of the good world as part of the 11th Chap. before to v. 15. was a Table for part of this Book in reference to the order of the bad times of the former evil world to chap. 19. adjoyning to it there the state of the good world to follow it with the continuance thereof chap. 19 and 20. and proceeds further in the two last Chapters to explain the glorious state and priviledges of it as he is wont in this Book after things more generally delivered to give more particular explications of them so here when he had spoken of joy at the marriage of the Lamb chap. 19. and that his wise had made her self ready v. 7. which he explains chap. 21.9 10. to be the New Jerusalem come down from God out of heaven which appears to be the spirits of just men made perfect which then came with Christ at his second coming as Zach. had prophesied of them c. being by a Metonimy of the subject the inhabitants of the New Jerusalem above Gal. 4. till they came to take their bodies wherefore that City prepared Heb. 11.10 16. for the faithfull is said to have foundations and so is described Rev. 21. And the Apostle Paul explains Zach. in 1 Thes 3.14 calling it the coming of Christ with all his Saints and in chap. 4.14 yet more clearly he saith them also that sleep in Jesus will God bring with him viz. to be united to their bodies at the first blessed resurrection to inhabit the said New Jerusalem on earth that hath foundations and behold Christs glory there Joh. 17.24 And that this first resurrection is from the death of the body hath been cleared by many but Mr. Farnworth in his Millenium hath added lately divers evident reasons respecting that and other matters of like nature pag. 49 50 c. and proves that it cannot be understood of a spiritual resurrection to which purpose were divers hints given in the end of our Irenicon see the Appendix And thus much for the grounds of our first demonstration from those Scriptures that concern all the said particulars to which a great deal more might be added of which we may say as our Saviour of Moses the Prophets that such as would not believe them they would not believe though one rose from the dead so such as would reject or evade so many evidences of Scripture would not believe though many more of the like nature were added so hardly are prepossessed opinions and prejudices against some divine Truths of this nature removed amongst some c. as I confess I experimentally found till God was pleased by many providences and helps afforded together with remarkable guidance of his word and spirit to teach me otherwise as he must doe in some things before men will rightly learn them though by the strength of Arguments conviction may be wrought c. Now from all the particulats before in and after the said thousand years of Christs reign with his Saints the Argument may thus be framed All such particulars which the holy Scriptures declare shall be accomplished before in and after the said thousand years shall certainly be fulfilled But the holy Scriptures declare most or all the said particulars before in or after the said thousand years to be accomplished on earth Therefore then they most certainly shall be fulfilled on earth The Major Proposition is undeniable to Christians The Minor is abundantly proved from many or all the particulars before specified under the three heads 2d Arg. I proceed to the second Argument drawn from sundry Texts of the Old Testament speaking of what concerns that time of Christs Kingly Office in the thousand years which are so explained by the spirit of God in the New Testament First for the begining of Christs Kingdom of power on earth when the Stone becomes a Mountain Dan. 2.35 Answerable whereunto in Christs Kingdom of the Stone he is set forth by a Lamb Rev. 5. that was slain that had seven horns and seven eyes denoting his perfect power and wisdom in that state but at the end of it he comes with his heavenly Hosts Rev. 19.11 c. and conquers the Beast and false Prophet and casts them into the Lake chap. 20. binds
Satan and shuts him up in prison for a thousand years and reigns with his Saints c. at the same time but besides that for the begining of that his Kingdom we have that divine Oracle in the Old Testament Psal 110.1 Sit thou on my right hand till I make thy foes thy footstoole which is often spoken of in the New Testament not only to shew him to be the Son of God Mat. 22.44 though of the seed of David according to the flesh Acts 2.30 yet from the time of his ascension into heaven When he is said so to begin to sit on Gods right hand v. 34 35. he saith the Apostle Peter v. 36 was made both Lord and Christ and as that Nobleman in the Parable Luk. 19. went into a far Countrey and to return when he had received his Kingdome which was the particular occasion of that Parable v. 11. because they thought the Kingdome of God should immediately appear he teacheth that he must return first from his Fathers right hand and this he maketh more evident Luk. 21 when he had spoken of the signs of the last times he tells them of his coming in a cloud with power v. 27. and v. 31. thereby shews them the Kingdom of God is nigh at hand namely that Kingdome he said he went to receive and then returning should possess Secondly for his foes to be made his foot-stool when he comes from the right hand of the Father we have in the vision of Daniel c. 7. first how a judgment is appointed to destroy the beast the wicked horn that spoke the great words v. 8 9. and the body of the said Beast was given to the burning flame so of Magog Ezaek 38.6 at the same time he hath the vision of one like the son of man coming in the Clouds of Heaven to receive the Kingdoms of the world v. 13.14 27. of such his coming St. Paul speaks 2 Thes 1 7.8 9 10. when he shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire taking vengeance c. And in the next chap. particularly speaks of the Destruction of that wicked one v. 8. whom he will destroy with the appearance of his coming the times also reaching to that are also set down in order in the book of the Rev. to chap. 19.11 where is the Vision of the execution of the same judgement Again for another great Foe viz. the Turk then to be subdued is it large set forth by the forementioned propheâ—â— against Gag Exâ—â— 38. 39. before the setting up of the New Jerusalem c. 40.41 42. c. the same we have described in other respects Dan. 11.40 41 42 c. whose destruction is declared v. 45. that he should come to his end and none should help him and in v. 1. of the following â— Christs appearance is revealed to Daniel with his peoples deliverance like a Resurrection from the dead v. 2.3 which Redemption Luke 21. is joyned with his coming in a cloud with power and great glory when saith he to the Jews of whom he had also spoken before when ye see these things come to pass look up and lift up your heads for then your Redemption draws nigh v. 28. and again v. 31. then know that the Kingdom of God is nigh at hand namely that of the faid 1000 years to this purpose speaks the Apostle Heb. 10.13 after he had offered one sacrifice for our sins for ever he sate down at the right hand of God from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his foot-stool The end likewise of which his expectation shall be saith St. Paul at his glorious appearance which in his times he shall shew who is the blessed and only Potentate the King of Kings and Lord of Lords 1 Tim. 6.15 which title at his coming is said to be written upon his vesture and upon his thigh Rev. 19.6 and Mr. Mede conceives by the reaping of the Harvest Rev. 14. may be meant the destruction of the Turkish power For the confirmation of this argument to manifest that what is spoken of things respecting the Kingdom of Christ so explained in the New Testament which to such purpose are foretold in the Old Testament and may hither be reduced are many of those Scriptures spoken of under the two first heads of those particulars applyed to the former argument besides many others I shall here only point them out as it were first what was said of Elias Mal. 4.5 is explained soe by our Saviour Mat. 17.11 long after John Baptists death truly said he Elias shall come c. see pag. 2. Of the burning of the whore of Babylon Dan. 7.8.11 explained Rev. 18. see p. 2. Soe of the Armageddon Battell Joel 3. Ezek. 38 39. explained in the New Testament Rev 16. Rev. 19. as is largely set down p. 3. Also the great national restauration and conversion of the Jews Dan 1.1 2 3 Zac. 12.10 Es 66.8 Zac. 39. so explained by our Saviour Rev. 19. v. 1. to v. 9 c. pag. 5. Again for the setting up Christs Kingdom Dan. 7.13.14 with the explication in the latter part of that chapter applyed so upon the same ruine of the beast at the same time as our parallel manifests Rev. 20.4 see p. 7.8 Likewise for the terrible coming of Christ Zach. 14. Joel 3. so explained Rev. 19. from ver 11 to the end and 1 Cor. 15.24 25 26 27. he must reign till he hath put all his enemies under his seet see pag. 8. In like manner for the large extent of Christs Kingdom Dan. 7.13.14 c. to the end and Psal 2.8 which shall take place Rev. 19. from v. 1. to v. 10. when as our Saviour speaks there will be one Sheepfold and one Shepherd Jo. 10.16 And for the perpetuity of his Kingdom 2 Sam. 7.13 c. v. 25. to 29. explained and applyed Rev. 11.15 at the said Kingdom of Christ at his appearance namely his Davidicall Kingdom see the 11 particular pag. 9. The Uniting of the ten Tribes with the two set forth in two parables Ez. 37. largely commented upon by St. Paul Rom. 11. see the 10. particular pag. 10 11. Also the New Heavens and New Earth foretold Es 65.17 explained in the time of Christs Kingdom Rev. 21. and the New Jerusalem Ezek 40. to the end of the book and Es 60. and other following Chapters explained of the same time of Christs said Kingdom Rev. 21. and Esay his prophesie particularly applyed v. 24.26 and Ezekiels waters and trees applicable to Rev. 22. to v. 7. See our 15 reasons that these will be on earth on Jer. 3.17 And Israels general redemption and great Restauration Deut. 30. to v. 11. Ezek. 37. latter part of of the chap. Deut. 32.42 43. which our Saviour explains Rev. 21.28.31 and also St. Paul Rom. 11. Many other Scriptures so applyed and explained in the New Testament may be observed in what hath been already said in reference to
have reference unto the last times as being of things which in that respect are to be observed especially The fifth Argument is taken from what hath been made manifest from Bp. 5. Arg. Vsher Mr. Mede Mr. Huit Helvicus Chronicle Mr. Swan in his Calamus mensur and others that the fourth Monarchy in Daniel is the Roman Monarchy Med. Com. in cap. 11. Daniel v. 35 36 c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith he v. 36. eximium quid designat that is the letter he in the word bammelec 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the King signifies some eminent thing as there denoting the beginning of the Roman Kingdom as by many characters thereof he declareth as that in Esa 7.14 the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Virgin a Virgin shall conceive that is continving a Virgin where also by the letter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is set forth that unparalleld conception of Christs body c. And he shall lift up himself above every God which saith Mr. Mede is the character of the 4th Monarchy or Roman Kingdome after the time Macedonia was subdued to the end of Augustus his raign and so proceeds to apply the prophesies in order to the succeeding times with much learning and judgement and according to what in experience hath been found true and as suits with the Revelation in the New Testament So Mede on Dan. 7.24 in a Letter to Dr. Meddus c. Also in explaining Dan. 11.41 42. in the time of the end 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or latter times that is saith he the times of the Roman Kingdome c. So pag. 71. of the Apostafie of the latter times our times must needs be a part of the latter times of that Kingdome viz. the Roman the times whereof he had said before were the last times in general So again he expounds the King of the South Dan. 11.40 to be the Saracens who are said to push at the Roman said King as they did in the holy wars so called and the King of the North to be the Turk in the same v. and so to the end of the chap. which also by our late annotations are fitly applied to Rev. 9th chap. as being there to be understood by the two first woe trumpets there deciphered namely the fifth and sixth in order and yet they are again in the same Book of annotations on Dan. 11.40 41. incongruously misapplyed to the Greek Monarchy which are the same by their times and descriptions with the said two first woe trumpets as experience hath in great part manifested in their accomplishment hitherto Bp. Usher also in his annals reckons the 4th Monarchy to be the Roman Monarchy Mr. Swan who treads much in his steps counts the Roâ—an the 4th Monatchy Cal. mensur pag. 183. and gives divers reasons for it pag 184.5 6. 7. Also Mr. Huit upon Daniels prophesie all along expounds the 4th Monarchy in Daniel to be the Roman Monarchy In like manner Helvicus in his Chronology reckons the third to be the Greek the fourth to be the Roman Monarchy Also Carion in his Chronicle enlarged and expounded by Phil. Melancthon accounts the Roman to be the fourth Monarchy and with it begins his third Book under the title of the fourth Monarchy So Mr. Lee in his Excid Antichristi Mr. Farnworth in his Millennio also Dr. Homes Mr. Peck in his sober guess And as for that too much formerly received opinion of the Seleucidae and Laegidae their being the fourth Monarchy which hath been a great obstruction to many learned men from discerning the right time and order yea consequently the very sence intention of the Book of Revelation as might be made evident in good part and which opinion amongst many learned men of later times who have been well versed in those studies is altogether exploded as being inconfistent with Scripture History and Experience yea it would cut off the comfortable evidence of the great promise of setting up Christs spiritual kingdome in its due time namely in the dayes of one of those Kings viz. of the Romans as Mr. Mede expounds that Text Dan. 2.44 and gives an example for it in Judg. 12.7 Jeptha was buried in the Cities of Gilead so say the Translators in one of the Cities of Gilead and had not the Roman been one of the said Kings how had that prophefie been true But the holy Scriptare as was shewed reckons the Roman Monarchy from their fraying away Antiochus Epiphanes Dan. 11.30 c. and these learned Historians and Chroniclers with others of great worth in many respects agree therein and judiciously avouch it so to be and in many things evident experience in accomplishments of these latter times as respecting the fourth Monarchy which were prophetically fore-shewed doth prove the same or in the times of the end which is the same as that of the Saracens and Turks Dan. 11.40 41. the two first woe trumpets Rev. 9 c. with many like matters too evident to be reasonably withstood c. And therefore by judicious and unprejudiced persons greater evidence I conceive of this nature will not be expected than the unbyassed judgement of so many able persons versed in those studies who give their reasons for their judgement and find them made good by experimental accomplishments the utmost determination of all such historical dissents Come we then to the sixth Argument 6th Argument which is from that part of Daniels Visions that concern the Roman Monarchy since Christs first coming in the flesh together with the state of the true Church thence all along under it which is in great part the subject of the book of Revelation from chap. 3. to 20. chap. as some of the said learned persons and others have likewise cleared and as also may be seen by our abridgement and parallel on Daniel and of our fummarie thereof besides other observations to confirm the same as follow c. Even as the last part of the Rev. concerns Christs second coming and the state of things in this world afterward Rev. 19.20 21 22. And as the forenamed learned and judicious persons have owned the Roman Monarchy to be that fourth that was foretold by Daniel in sundry Visions so have some of them declared upon solid grounds that divers of Daniels Visions reach to the time of Christs second coming and set down some generals of the state of things afterwards which also may to unprejudiced persons be made evident by a brief and general view of the substance of the things considered in that book especially as respecting things after Daniels time First there are two general Decypherings of all time to come as two witnessings of the same truth one made to a Gentile Dan. 2. viz. Nebuceadnezzar in the great Image setting forth the 4 Mettle-Kingdoms succeeding each other as Mr. Mede observes namely by the Gold the Caldean by the Silver the Mede or Persian by the Brass the
Grecian by the Iron the Roman Monarchies which were to continue whilst the Gentiles had the Dominion called by our Saviour the times of the Gentiles Luke 21.24 Another made to a Jew viz. the greatly beloved Prophet Daniel c. 7. by a Vision of four Beasts setting before him again with Christs Kingdom to succeed the last the times order and qualities of the said four Kingdomes and with many things of Christs from Antichrists destruction that was not expressed in the former Vision or explication of the four mettals Dan. 2. which Kingdomes by both Visions were to continue during the long bondage of Daniels own people till the wicked horn or beasts body be given to the burning flame v. 8 9 10 11. Christ come in the clouds v. 13 14. And concerning this large extent of the times of both these general Visions Daniel is taught by the Spirit of God to set his stamp and impression upon it clearly to that purpose chap. 2.28 God saith he makes known to the King what shall be in the latter dayes Heb. postremity of dayes as likewise doth the Angel again chap. 10.14 And accordingly Daniel expounds when the stone cut out of the mountain without hands that appears to be Christs spiritual kingdom from his Ascension to his coming again in person whilst he is breaking Divinely the lower parts of the great Image and especially the feet and toes of the said Image to powder like the dust of the summer threshing c. and then the said Kingdome of the Stone will become a great mountain filling the whole earth ◠35. And for the other Vision c. 7. of the 4 Beasts shewed to himself he is directly guided by the Spirit of God to set down how the beast should be destroyed as was said when the time of his date was out viz. his time times and the dividing of a time or 1260 days of years as in the Rev. is explained That then he had the Vision of Christs coming personally in the clouds of Heaven which is his second coming set before him and Gods giving all the Kingdoms of the world to him that all Nations under the whole heaven should obey him v. 27. personally during that his Davidical Kingdom in the 1000 years And as the description of the Iron Kingdom doth fitly belong to the Romane whose strength and prevailence hath been suitable thereunto so do all well approved expositors understand it and as it was in two thighs or legs since Constantine in the East and West Empires so the feet and toes in the time of the Pope and ten Kings have been as part of Iron and part of Clay under this last said head of Government the Popedom both in its Ecclesiastick and Politick capacity which as Iron and Clay cannot be mingled and though the said ten Kings have sought to mingle themselves with the seed of men that is have endeavoured by marriages to strengthen themselves yet they have not cleaved one to another Daniel foretells it shall be in vain which is so notorious That it is said to be the observation of the Grand Signior the Turk that they will never agree till his fingers are all of a length which so animates him against the Emperour and Pope to assault them The other description of the fourth beast Dan. 7. is also of the said Romane Kingdom set forth to be so terrible monstrous and cruel with the ten horns that arose on the beast and another little horn among them or behind them that spake such great words against the most high are orderly described and suitably expounded in the book of Rev. as may be observed in our abridgment and parallel and summary of Daniels visions c. And divers things are again observable in some of the visions that concern the order and times of the said Kingdoms and Beasts further applyed to the Roman Monarchy as c. 9. after the end of the 70 weeks when Christ had put an end to Typical sacrifice by his death in Tiberius his Raign Daniel speaks of the Prince viz. of the Roman people that should come to destroy the City and Sanctuary v. 26. which was fulfilled by Titus and Vespatian and in the two last verses he sets forth the very long desolation that should follow upon Jerusalem and her people in those general expressions until the consummation and that determined should be powred out upon the desolate which is also explained by our Saviour till the times of the Gentiles Dominion in the four Kingdoms and Beasts be fulfilled Luk 21 24. In chap. 8. v. 26. the same large space of time is assigned thereto of 2300 days of years for which see the reasons in our summary upon that Text c. Also in the last large prophetical vision of the general state of that people c. there are many things referr unto the Roman Monarchy first in that the Angel tells him c. 10.14 that he came to make him understand what should befall his people in the latter or postremity of days and in c. 11. he sets before him the degrees of the rise of the Roman Kingdom First he intitles him a Prince that began to act in his own behalf v. 18. as before he had done for another before v. 13. see abridgment after the Romans are set forth by the * Mr. Mede dist 48 p. 376. Ships of Chittim in v. 30. the old mark set down by Baalam to know their last oppressor Numb 24.24 who was to perish for ever but at v. 36. he intitles the Romans the K. Kings with an Emphasis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Emphaticum aliquid eximium denotat said Mr. Mede and so the state of that Kingdom with several of her heads of Tyranny coming on and the enemies that restrain them to the end of the chapter Over part of whose Dominions the King of the South the Saracens and the King of the North the Turk prevail in the time of the end neer or unto the second coming of Christ See the Parallel to this purpose and summary on Daniel wherein divers other things are set down which may evidence that all things said to be shut up in Daniel and such as are referred to the times ' of the end or latter days are so explained in the Rev. both respecting the Roman Monarchy and Christs afterwards when the said Kingdome of the Stone became a great Mountain filling the whole earth but these brief hints may here suffice The seventh Argument is taken from the promises and encouragements made and given to the overcomers and sufferers in all times following both in the Asian Churches Rev. 2. 3. chap and also all along afterwards referring to the New Jerusalem state till the Roman Monarchy be utterly destroyed and ruined and then those promises and encouragements take place and are fulfilled as appears from Rev. 19. to the end of that book which state the spirit of God three times attesteth and strongly confirmeth c. 19.9 21.5.22.6